While browsing a shelf in the novel section, Uti plugged her ears with earphones. Her hand pulled out a book that caught her eye, Uti read the back of the book for a moment, then decided to pick it up. The girl nodded gently.
"This looks good," she muttered under her breath, not to anyone, just to herself. Uti turned around and looked for a seat.
The benches in the library were mostly empty because not many students were here—only a handful of people, and Uti could count them on her fingers. There were five people, including herself and the librarian.
Uti didn't mind, she liked the quiet atmosphere. And so she chose the bench at the very end. There was still time, it should be enough. Uti then focused on reading while listening to a quiet song.
***
Novan didn't know which way Uti went, he didn't have a clue. The boy had turned his face this way and that, hoping to find her among the other students.
Then, Novan's eyes fell on Kenya, his classmate. "Kenya!"
When Kenya stopped walking and turned to him, Novan hurriedly quickened his pace to approach her.
"Why? Do you need me?" asked Kenya, pointing to herself. She noticed Novan, who was now standing in front of her.
Novan nodded slowly, that was his intention. "Yes, I have something to ask you."
"What?"
"Did you see Uti?"
"Yes, I saw her, just now I was fitting in with her."
"Seriously? Where is she? Tell me quickly." Novan had the key to the clue this time, he did not expect Kenya to know, even though Novan had thought in advance that maybe he would ask Kenya in vain. But apparently not, because his classmate knew where Uti was.
"I asked her, and she said she was going to the library. Do you want to meet her?"
"Yes."
"I'm guessing you want to apologize about the incident on the field this morning?"
"Yes." Novan didn't deny it.
"Good then, hurry up and catch up with her."
"Okay, thanks for the info."
"You're welcome."
"Alright, I'll leave first, okay?" Novan immediately turned around to go to the library after saying goodbye to Kanya. The library was close by, so Novan could go straight in.
Once he was inside, Novan looked around. And because the place was very quiet, Novan could easily find Uti. Looking at her, he smiled softly. Uti didn't notice his presence, at least not yet. She was busy with the book she was reading, yet Novan was still some distance away. Besides, Uti's ears were also plugged with earphones.
"What book are you looking for?"
"What?" Novan immediately turned around, facing the direction where the voice came from, then he smiled and gave a small nod. Apparently the librarian was watching him.
Novan thought for a moment before answering, "Well, miss, I want to find a story book. I want to borrow it."
"Yes, look for it yourself on the shelf, later, when you bring it here and sign it, bring the card too, right?"
"No miss, I don't want to borrow it to read and take home, I just want it here, then I will return it to its place."
The library clerk nodded in understanding. "Alright."
"Okay, miss, I'm leaving now, okay?"
"Please, don't just take the book, keep it neat."
"Yes miss."
Novan slipped away as the clerk returned to her cell phone screen. Novan didn't take the book like he said he would, but instead slid over to Uti. He approached her and sat next to her.
"I want to hear the song too."Novan took the earphones that were previously gagged in Uti's ears and put them in his own ears.
Startled by Novan's sudden presence like a ghost, Uti squinted and immediately turned her head to the side. Uti blinked, while Novan just smiled.
"Ah, I know this song. Do you like it?"
Uti grunted as she pulled out her earphones, then hurriedly rolled them up and put them in her pocket.
"Why are you here? You're bothering me." Instead of answering Novan's question, Uti looked unhappy with the boy's presence.
"I want to see you."
Novan saw Uti close her novel with a quick, rough motion. Then, their gazes met quietly.
"And how did you know I was here? Are you following me?" Uti asked probingly.
"I know from Kenya, I just wanted to talk and discuss what happened in the field this morning."
"Want to discuss it again? Isn't it already done?"
"I don't think it's finished yet."
"So what?"
"I want to apologize profusely, I really didn't mean to, and I know your head hurts."
Uti let out a long breath, her eyes staring at the table. Uti refrained from saying anything out loud because she was in the library.
"I already forgave you, I have no problem with that. Never mind, why do we have to discuss it again? I really don't mind."
"I-"
"Don't feel guilty anymore, I know you didn't mean it. So, I don't think there's anything to discuss anymore."
Novan nodded at Uti's explanation.
"So, you're done here?"
Novan blinked his eyes and asked, "Are you going to kick me out?"
"I'm not kicking you out, just—" Uti struggled to find the right words. "You don't have anything to do with me anymore, do you?"
"But I want to sit here with you."
"What?" Uti was genuinely surprised.
"Why, can't you? Do you mind?"
"No, that's not it. I just want to read a book, you know that?"
"Yes, I know."
"So what? Do you want to just sit around? You want to be a statue here? There's no one to chat with you."
"No problem, I don't mind either."
"It's up to you."
Uti picked up her book again and opened the page she had been reading. Novan sat quietly, watching Uti. For him, this was more than enough. Uti really didn't kick him out, creating an opportunity for Novan. Even though there was no need to chat, just the thought of it made Novan happy.
Uti, who felt like she had been noticed all along, became unfocused herself. She was misbehaving, and her focus was completely lost. And it was all because of Novan.
Uti closed the novel again with a quick movement.
"Did you read it?"
"You're here, I can't concentrate. Never mind, I'm going back to class."
"I want to go too."
Uti shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever you want."
Later, Uti and Novan were already outside the library. They both walked next to each other, wordlessly silent. Uti had no intention of chatting either. Then, all of a sudden, a group of little girls approached her, Uti was surprised. But apparently, it wasn't her who was approached. It was Novan, they came to her.
"Hey, can I ask for a photo together?"
"I follow you on social media."
"You are really handsome."
"I'll follow you back."
"Can I ask for your phone number?"
"Do you have a girlfriend yet?"
"Why is your face so handsome?"
These questions were not meant for Uti, but Uti felt dizzy. Uti moved quickly away from Novan, who was surrounded by the younger siblings. Uti shook her head.
That boy was indeed famous at school. And Uti didn't deny that Novan's face was handsome, just like the girls said.
After walking away for a while, Uti turned her head and turned around. For some reason, she was curious to see Novan serving the boys. And looking at him, Uti became annoyed.
"Why is this boy smiling so much?" Uti rolled her eyes in annoyance.